Estonian submarine force officially dead

[antikristuseke]

A few days ago one of the longest serving submarines in the world is not decommissioned from the Estonian Navy, the EML Lembit flag lowering ceremony can be watched here. http://www.reporter.ee/2011/05/16/al...stikust-valja/

She was launched in 1936 and had technicaly been in service since then, though in reality most of that time as either a training or museum boat. That being said the hull or bulkheads were never modified for ease of access so she is still technically seaworthy. Anyhow she will be raised out of the water in the near future, weather premiting.

More information on her here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EML_Lembit

[Anthony W.]

All I can say is Wow

[Jimbuna]

The end for a grand old lady

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

The end for a grand old lady

And not even really the end, just a worthy retirement!

Much better than any other 'end' that could've befallen a sub. Great to see her preserved - I do hope to make it down to Tallinn one day and see her!

[Torplexed]

Considering all Estonia went through, I find it remarkable she made it this far. There's a national treasure.

[joea]

Amazing story-especially considering she served in two different navies.

I'll never cease regretting the fact the HMS Warspite was not preserved.

[Luuraja]

Flag lowering on EML Lembit means that Estonian Maritime Museum has started to make their plans true. Personally I was very afraid she will sunk before drydocking, restoration and opening as a museum.

EML Lembit will be dragged onto land in tonight, between 00:30 to morning.
That is because sea must be more or less waveless, especially dangerous are sharp backwash waves of Tallinn-Helsinki fast ferries. High spot will be around sunrise.
Everyone in Tallinn this night can go watch this show at Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour, future place of Maritime Museum). No fee, but dress warmly, it is rather cold before sunrise here now in Estonia

Maritime Museum gave some promise to broadcast this process by internet. Stay tuned, when so, I will let you know.

Sadly I can't go myself, but some friends of mine promised to take photographs.

Antikristuseke, tore näha kaasmaalast siin. (that was coded message

[AVGWarhawk]

She is quite beautiful and has quite a history! I hope she is kept as museum.

[Luuraja]

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

She is quite beautiful and has quite a history! I hope she is kept as museum.

Of course she will be kept as a museum, no other way. Nobody in Estonia wants this symbol of pre-WWII national effort to be just scrapped. Lembit will be major part of renewing Estonian Maritime Museum, which will be located in that same Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour) unique hangars and around.

Let's just hope that this 75-year old submarine can be dragged onto land in one piece.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Luuraja

Of course she will be kept as a museum, no other way. Nobody in Estonia wants this symbol of pre-II world war national effort to be just scrapped. Lembit will be major part of renewing Estonian Maritime Museum, which will be located in that same Lennusadam (Seaplane Harbour) unique hangars and around.

And this is a beautiful thing!

[Luuraja]

Seems like the broadcast will start here:
http://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudise....d?id=46340389

[Luuraja]

Some photos of my trip onboard EML Lembit:
https://picasaweb.google.com/kuuse.i...bmarineLembit#